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jd3rdcoast
Super Member
If those are your keepers and you have not experience with the internals of this equipment and have the money, then drop them off at your local reputable tech for evaluation and calibration. If not, build a Dim Bulb Tester (DBT) to limit the current and bring them up that way to make sure there is no internal short waiting to release magic smoke. Search the DIY thread for how to build the DBT. Less likely for the 3300 as not a power amp. I wouldn’t worry about recapping unless there are obvious issues in operation or sound quality that points to that option.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
If you do the DBT you will probably want to do the internal, external cleaning, too>
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-idiots-guide-to-using-deoxit-revisited.207005/
Otherwise, dropping a couple bills at a shop and getting back good working units would be the way to go. This guesstimate is based on taking in old, underused, working units needing to be evaluated, cleaned and very minor service a cap or three maybe, and your high cost of living location where techs get maybe 85 to put the unit on the bench...most of what yours needs if they are in good shape.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-idiots-guide-to-using-deoxit-revisited.207005/
Otherwise, dropping a couple bills at a shop and getting back good working units would be the way to go. This guesstimate is based on taking in old, underused, working units needing to be evaluated, cleaned and very minor service a cap or three maybe, and your high cost of living location where techs get maybe 85 to put the unit on the bench...most of what yours needs if they are in good shape.
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jd3rdcoast
Super Member
Also, hard stop on “recapping” the 3300. I have read here in AK that many of the capacitors used in that vintage are high quality caps and most likely fine and may not have a have a modern replacement with same characteristics. It may not sound like a 3300 after a recap unless done by someone with strong experience with that unit. Have a plan and a purpose for anything done. Or may wind up with just a pretty box.
Sorry I don’t have those threads I can easily access.
I took a chance on a “non-working” 3300 at a good price last year. Upon delivery only thing wrong was blown fuse, missing tape monitor switch cover and power indicator bulb. Serviced it myself and it sounds fantastic. All original internals.
Sorry I don’t have those threads I can easily access.
I took a chance on a “non-working” 3300 at a good price last year. Upon delivery only thing wrong was blown fuse, missing tape monitor switch cover and power indicator bulb. Serviced it myself and it sounds fantastic. All original internals.
jd3rdocoast, thank you so much for replying! I do want to keep these for myself and hopefully hear the great sound it had again. I need to find someone who is qualified to do the restoration if needed, but not sure how to go about finding someone in my area. I did build the Dim Bulb Tester last night, I will give it a go to try today to see if they will power up. Very excited, but keeping my fingers crossed.
Hi Blueshadow, Thank you for the advice. I've always been pretty good at fixing minor electronics, but never did any soldering on circuit boards, so I am do no my limits. Last thing I want to do is destroy these two beautiful pieces of gear. The tread you provided is excellent, I think I can do most of that doing a quick reading.
Hi All, Thank you so much for all the input on my Marantz 140 Power Amp and 3300 PreAmp. The Update: I built the Dim Bulb Tester and it worked great, Past the test! Yesterday I actually connected them both up and crossed my fingers that I could get sound out of them. Hurray! They worked GREAT! Not even a scratchy Pot. I just cannot believe it. I guess my question would be, should I still have them checked out for any Leaky Caps and adjusting? SO HAPPY.
Steven Tate
CEO Flat Forehead Soc.
Nice! If the pots don’t feel tight, and it sounds great, I would enjoy it. If they feel resistant, like dried lubricant, they would get a puff of Faderlube F5.
Right now, I'm thinking of just taking the covers off and give them a good cleaning with a soft brush and vacuum. The faceplate on the 3300 is very dull as well as the knobs. Not sure exactly what to use on it that's safe. Also, I would like to replace the bulbs on the 2 meters as well as the light on the 3300, they are very dull. Not sure where to buy them. If you have any suggestion on all the above, that would be great. Thank you
jd3rdcoast
Super Member
On the 140 Meters, you may have couple lamps burnt out if they are dim. There are 4ea fuse lamps (2ea side) for the 140 Meters. Proper 200mA fuse lamps can be sourced here (no affiliation). If the vellum diffuser paper behind the meters is yellowed replacing with new 48# vellum will bring back the original color.
Be careful around the reflector housing, It may be VERY brittle and break easily especially around screws and clips. Do not force or pry on any part of it or it will crack.
The 3300 Power Light is a mini Bayonet #47 rated at 6.3 volts 0.15 A. I can't remember where I got mine. Here is a thread discussing. Might just try cleaning the back of the blue gel that the light shines through and the bulb with a q-tip and see if that helps.
You can search for faceplate cleaning here on AK. But typically warm soapy water is safest unless tough smoke stains.
Be careful around the reflector housing, It may be VERY brittle and break easily especially around screws and clips. Do not force or pry on any part of it or it will crack.
The 3300 Power Light is a mini Bayonet #47 rated at 6.3 volts 0.15 A. I can't remember where I got mine. Here is a thread discussing. Might just try cleaning the back of the blue gel that the light shines through and the bulb with a q-tip and see if that helps.
You can search for faceplate cleaning here on AK. But typically warm soapy water is safest unless tough smoke stains.
Steven Tate
CEO Flat Forehead Soc.
Check dgwojo.com for the bulbs - especially the power light bulb. The owner is an AK member and knows his stuff.
